Microbiology

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Principles of microbiology, including metabolism, structure, function, genetics, and phylogeny of microbes. The course will also examine the interactions of microbes with each other, hosts, and the environment. Laboratory activities will reinforce principles of microbiology, including metabolism, structure, function, genetics, and phylogeny of microbes. The course will also examine the interactions of microbes with each other, hosts, and the environment. This course consists of both lecture and laboratory components in an integrated format.
Course Type: Lecture with lab.
Course Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the lecture component of this course, students will:

  1. Provide examples of the impact of microorganisms on agriculture, environment, ecosystem, energy, and human health, including biofilms.
  2. Identify unique structures, capabilities, and genetic information flow of microorganisms.
  3. Compare the life cycles and structures of different types of viruses.
  4. Discuss how microscopy has revealed the structure and function of microorganisms.
  5. Give examples of the range of metabolic diversity exhibited by microorganisms, impact of metabolic characteristics on growth, and control of growth.
  6. Describe evidence for the evolution of cells, organelles, and major metabolic pathways from early prokaryotes and how phylogenetic trees reflect evolutionary relationships.
  7. Describe the causes and consequences of mutations on microbial evolution and the generation of diversity as well as human impacts on adaptation.
  8. Classify interactions of microorganisms on human and non-human hosts as neutral, detrimental, or beneficial.

Upon successful completion of the lab component of this course, students will:

  1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
  2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
  3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.
  4. Provide examples of the impact of microorganisms on agriculture, environment, ecosystem, energy, and human health, including biofilms.
  5. Identify unique structures, capabilities, and genetic information flow of microorganisms.
  6. Compare the life cycles and structures of different types of viruses.
  7. Discuss how microscopy has revealed the structure and function of microorganisms.
  8. Give examples of the range of metabolic diversity exhibited by microorganisms, impact of metabolic characteristics on growth, and control of growth.
  9. Describe evidence for the evolution of cells, organelles, and major metabolic pathways from early prokaryotes and how phylogenetic trees reflect evolutionary relationships.
  10. Describe the causes and consequences of mutations on microbial evolution and the generation of diversity as well as human impacts on adaptation.
  11. Classify interactions of microorganisms on human and non-human hosts as neutral, detrimental, or beneficial.
Required Textbooks
Talaro, Kathleen Park; Foundations in Microbiology, eighth edition, McGraw-Hill, 2012 Online Tutorial: McGraw-Hill Connect/LearnSmart™
Evaluation Standards

The final course grade will be determined based on performance in both the lecture and laboratory components of the course. The actual methodology used to determine the final grade is at the discretion of the individual instructor. This information will be provided by the instructor.

Required Institutional Core Learning Outcomes

Communication (COM), Critical Thinking (CT), Empirical & Quantitative Reasoning (EQR), Teamwork (TW)

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).